"AI aids healthcare for Japan's cherished cats"

Artificial intelligence is playing a vital role in enhancing healthcare services for Japan's beloved feline companions. Through innovative AI technology, these cherished cats are receiving improved medical attention and support, ensuring their well-being and health are prioritized. This advancement signifies a significant shift in veterinary care, harnessing the power of AI to address medical needs more effectively and provide tailored solutions for the unique requirements of Japan's cat population.

Carelogy, a tech startup, in collaboration with researchers from Nihon University, has introduced CatsMe!, a smartphone application powered by AI. CatsMe! purportedly possesses the capability to discern when a cat experiences pain.

49-year-old Kazuya Edamura, a professor at Nihon University and head of its Animal Medical Center, employs 'CatsMe!', a smartphone app driven by AI. This application, jointly developed by tech startup Carelogy and Nihon University researchers, claims to detect signs of pain in cats. Edamura utilizes 'CatsMe!' while examining a cat at the medical center in Fujisawa, located south of Tokyo. (Image source: REUTERS/Issei Kato)

Mayumi Kitakata worries about the health and happiness of Chi, her calm housemate. Chi, who delights in treats and occasionally indulges in catnip, is around 14 years old, which is considered advanced age for a cat.(REUTERS/Issei Kato)

At 57, Mayumi Kitakata has experienced the companionship of several pet cats over time. In her endeavor to ensure Chi enjoys as many seasons as possible, she has embraced the assistance of artificial intelligence. (Image source: REUTERS/Issei Kato)

Kazuya Edamura educates students on pain diagnosis in cats, utilizing images employed in training the AI of 'CatsMe!' (Image source: REUTERS/Issei Kato)

In March, Kitakata embraced CatsMe! as an early adopter. This innovative tool minimizes the uncertainty surrounding the need for stressful visits to the veterinarian. (Image source: REUTERS/Issei Kato)

Pets hold significant importance in numerous families globally, but their role is particularly pronounced in Japan, given its aging population and declining birth rate. According to the Japan Pet Food Association, the country had nearly 16 million pet cats and dogs in 2023, surpassing the number of children under 15 years old. (Image source: REUTERS/Issei Kato)

CatsMe! was developed by tech startup Carelogy and Nihon University researchers, who trained it using 6,000 cat pictures. Since its launch last year, the app has garnered over 230,000 users. Developers claim it boasts over 95 percent accuracy and anticipate further improvement as the AI continues to learn from additional feline images. (Image source: REUTERS/Issei Kato)

Kazuya Edamura mentioned that veterinarians like himself can somewhat gauge whether an animal is in pain, but it's a more challenging task for pet owners. (Image source: REUTERS/Issei Kato)

Kitakata and Chi reside in a central Tokyo apartment, featuring an ideal feline resting spot by a balcony window offering views of cherry trees five floors below. Kitakata keeps tabs on Chi's toilet habits and utilizes the app daily to assess its facial expressions. (Image source: REUTERS/Issei Kato)

Edamura noted, "Our statistics indicate that over 70 percent of elderly cats suffer from arthritis or pain, yet merely 2 percent seek medical attention." He emphasized the app's role not as a definitive diagnosis tool but as a means to alert owners to potential abnormalities in their pets' well-being. (Image source: REUTERS/Issei Kato)

Kitakata has been caring for cats since her mid-20s, one of whom was Soran, a brown-striped tom. Sadly, Soran passed away from cancer approximately six years ago, at the tender age of eight. (Image source: REUTERS/Issei Kato)

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Source: moneycontrol‍